Epic Brewing can expand, but not onto Edison Avenue

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Epic Brewing can expand its State Street operation and the neighborhood just east on Edison Avenue can feel safe that there will be no beer truck traffic on their street.

City Councilman Luke Garrott called the development agreement that set up the compromise a "win/win" Tuesday, as the council adopted the measure by a 6-1 vote.

Epic Brewing had purchased two houses on Edison Avenue, just east of its 825 S. State St. operation, and planned to replace them with office space and townhouses. In addition, the brewery wanted its trucks to be able to enter its operation from State Street and exit onto Edison Avenue, according to co-owner Peter Erickson.

But residents on Edison Avenue between 800 and 900 South objected. The little neighborhood has been undergoing a renaissance of sorts with new residents, who have spruced up existing houses, along the tree-lined street. In addition, three new houses have been built along the block in the past year.

The brewery's application for a zone change set up a collision of values between neighborhood renewal and economic development, according to Garrott. The development agreement brokered by the city allows Epic to expand its building, but the beer company cannot tear down the houses on Edison or use them for anything other than residences.

Erickson said he is happy with the compromise. The expansion will allow the brewery to run more efficiently, he said, although the operation's capacity  13,000 barrels per year  will remain the same.

Neighborhood property owner Pat Peterson said the Edison residents are happy with the compromise and "delighted the [Epic] houses are staying."

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